From your taxable income, there is an amount that is tax-free against the income tax, this amount is known as allowance. You can avail this amount tax-free each year. This blog post provides a simple guide to married couples allowance, its eligibility criteria, and the limits of this allowance. Let’s find out.
Want to avail of other allowances, reach out to our accountants for advice.
Married Couple’s Allowance:
This allowance doesn’t increase your gross income rather it reduces the tax bill by 10%. Like if you get £4,250 in the 2021/22 tax year, your tax bill will be reduced by 425 (10% of 4250).
Use a Married Couple Allowance calculator to find out what you could get.
Currently, in 2021/22, the MCA is around £9,125. However, if your income is above a certain limit, it decreases by £1 for every additional income of £2.
Eligibility criteria:
To claim this allowance, you need to fulfill the below criteria:
- You’re married or in civil a partnership and you haven’t used this allowance before
- You’re living with your partner and spouse
- From both partners, one was born before 6 April 1935
If you’re born after 1935, you can get a Marriage allowance.
You can claim this allowance if you’re unable to live with your partner due to the following reasons:
- Old age or illness
- Armed forces posting
- Working away from home
- Prisoner
- Training or getting an education
Find out how you can avail the marriage allowance. Get in touch with us.
Married Couples Allowance- Lower and Upper-Income Limits:
MCA is determined by your earnings. The lower limit for MCA is £30,400 in 2021-22. If you’re earning below this amount, you’ll be eligible for the full amount of the allowance. MCA can fall by £1 for every £2 if it crosses a certain threshold. However, many high earners can also qualify for the MCA of a minimum of £3,530.
If your tax bill is too little to use all the married couple’s allowance, you have the choice to transfer the rest of the allowance to your partner.
Quick Wrap Up:
To claim married couples allowance, you should fill out the Married Couple’s Allowance section of the tax return in self-assessment tax returns each year. If not, you should contact HMRC sharing details of the marriage ceremony or details of your spouse.
For more information and queries don’t hesitate to contact us.
Disclaimer: This blog provides a general overview of married couple’s allowance.
